•••
The bank had reached five winning coups and the man holding it nodded at the dealer then proceeded to withdraw all the money lying. He folded it neatly away and rose from his seat. He nodded again, before leaving the gaming room.
The dealer smiled and shook his head, tapped his fingers on the edge of the horseshoe table. What d’you make of that Deefy?
Deefy nodded.
An elderly guy who was sitting to the side said, The cunt’s a millionaire too. I dont think I’ve ever seen him lose.
He’s no skint anyhow! muttered another punter.
The dealer was sitting back on his chair and he yawned and then stretched. Never mind, he said, an early bath’ll do us all a bit of good.
That us finished? frowned a man.
How, are you wanting to take the new bank?
It’s a winner!
I know it’s a winner, put your money in.
The man sniffed and looked away.
Anybody else? asked the dealer, and he looked about at the others. Most of those left in the room had been spectating for the past half hour or so. The dealer’s gaze settled on Tammas for a moment.
Tammas shook his head. Then he got up and walked through into the snacks’ room and ordered a roll and sausage and a cup of tea. He was eating it while reading tomorrow morning’s Daily Record, when Deefy sat down at his table. After a moment he said to Tammas: How d’you do son, alright?
Couple of quid I won.
Good.
Want a cup of tea or something?
Deefy looked at him.
A cup of tea?
Naw son, no me.
Tammas nodded, he drank a mouthful of his own tea and added: I was thinking of taking a walk up the Royal, see if there’s anything doing.
The Royal. They’ll be playing poker.
Aye, I was thinking of taking a walk up.
Deefy nodded.
Fancy coming along?
Aye, no bother son. Deefy patted the tie he was wearing. You okay? Will I get you one?
Ta, aye.
I’ll get you one. Deefy glanced about at the folk in the room and stood up.
Tammas ate the last piece of food, swallowed the last of his tea.
Outside in the lane frost glinted on the brickwork and close in at the foot of the walls white showed on the tips of some weeds. Deefy tugged the hat down onto his ears and adjusted a woollen scarf about his neck. You’d think it was the winter already, he grunted.
Tammas nodded, upturning the collar and lapels of his jacket.
At the Royal the doorman greeted Deefy and allowed them both entry without mention of signing the book. The casino was almost empty. But there was a small crowd gathered at the barrier round the poker table. Joe was one of the players. The man called Stan was not amongst the spectators. Tammas glanced to the side, then he left Deefy talking to the doorman. He lighted a cigarette before walking slowly along and into the coffee lounge. And Vi was here.
She was with Milly; they were at a table nearby the door. Milly looked to be dozing. Tammas approached the counter, looking to where the woman would stand who usually served behind it. Then he said, Hullo — I didnt expect to see you here the night. He inhaled on the cigarette and smiled briefly, glanced back across the counter.
Vi had clicked open her handbag. She took out a cigarette.
I never saw that guy, Stan.
Did you no. That’s because he’s no here.
Mm. He never came?
No.
He nodded, he glanced back across the counter then shrugged and he walked to her table, nodded at an empty chair, and sat down on it.
Sit down, she said.
What?
I said sit down, on the chair.
He nodded, sniffed, inhaled on the cigarette. Milly had opened her eyelids. It’s you, she murmured.
Tammas smiled. Hullo.
She blinked at him.
Did you win at roulette?
Me?
Aye, did you win?
Milly sighed and said to Vi: Give us a fag hen.
Vi gave her the packet and she extracted one. Tammas had the matches out and he struck one for her. She accepted the light without comment. She glanced at Vi: I’m away to see how Joe’s getting on.
Vi made no response.
Tammas watched Milly leave, closing the door behind herself. After a moment he inhaled deeply, looked over to the counter. He coughed slightly, cleared his throat.
Vi said, I’m going home.
You’re going home?
That’s what I said.
He stared at her.
She returned the stare. I dont want to keep you from the cards.
He nodded. I’m no bothering — the cards, I’m no bothering. Poker and that. . he shrugged: You need a score to sit in. I’m short of a couple of quid.
O, sorry.
What?
I said sorry. O God! Vi shook her head and she clasped her handbag to her side and got up from her chair.
You definitely going home the now?
Yes.
Christ Vi. You take the needle hell of a quick.
Well no wonder, your stupid bloody questions!
Tammas began rising from his chair. Vi had walked to the door. She tugged on the handle and opened it and walked out, She crossed to where Milly was standing and she whispered something to her. Tammas waited by the coffee lounge entrance for her. He followed her through to the wee cloakroom where she lifted a barrier to collect her own coat. Glancing to the side she muttered, What do you want?
He looked at her.
I said what do you want?
What do I want, nothing. I’ll see you to the taxi.
What taxi?
Are you no getting a taxi?
She made no reply, pulling on her coat and adjusting her hair while gazing into a large mirror on the wall.
I’ll get you a taxi, he said.
You neednt bother.
Look Vi. .
Look yourself.
He went after her, meeting the doorman in the lobby. He nodded to him, continued on downstairs.
On the pavement Vi was waving down a taxi and he arrived in time to open the door for her. She got in without looking at him. When he made to follow she held her arm up and frowned at him: Where d’you think you’re going?
Can I no get seeing you home like?
Tch! She shook her head.
The driver called: Where to?
Hang on a minute, said Tammas. Look Vi. .
O look yourself!
Come on. .
Come on what!
Hey jimmy! The driver was frowning at him: You annoying the lassie?
Naw. He sniffed and then stepped inside, sitting down beside her.
The driver was waiting.
Eh Vi, going to tell the fellow the address?
She said nothing.
Come on Vi.
She shifted on the seat, stared out the window.
The driver said, You okay hen?
She turned, puffed on her cigarette and stubbed it out in the ashtray. Then she cleared her throat and gave him the destination. The journey took more than ten minutes. Nothing was said during it. Tammas sat gazing out the near window. Occasionally he noticed the driver watching him in the rear mirror. At her closemouth he tipped the driver before following her in and upstairs; she lived on the second top storey. She muttered unintelligibly while fumbling on the front door key. Neither had spoken to the other since leaving the taxi. But now, with the door ajar, she glanced at him. She said: I told you no to come.
He nodded then shrugged and about turned. The door did not shut immediately, not until he had reached the first landing. And he paused a moment before carrying on down the stairs and out through the close.
The south side of the city was unfamiliar to him. Aside from the name of the main road he recognised nothing. He walked quickly. The windscreens of parked cars had frosted over and his breath came out in puffs of steam. In a gap site piles of rubble and different stuff had been heaped as though for a bonfire and the frost showed on the edges of it. He halted at a doorway to light a cigarette. Then the sound of a taxi approaching.